The fourth annual NHRA New England Nationals are this weekend in Epping, New Hampshire. You should watch them. Early indication is that the event’s going to be something special: During qualifying on Friday, Ron Capps ripped off a 3.865-second pass at 325.92 mph in the Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car. That’s a track record at New England Dragway, which was built in 1966. Which got us thinking about the NHRA, and drag racing, and its storied history in America.
So, before New England Nationals, here’s a little reminder that the sport is absolutely glorious. Consider it an flame-belching, tire-slaying, nitro-soaked appetizer to Sunday’s race. Enjoy.
Lining up at Indianapolis Raceway Park in Clermont, 1968., Alvis Upitis/GettyAshley Force at Carolinas Nationals at the Zmax Dragway in Concord, 2008., Rusty Jarrett/GettyBrandon Bernstein keeping warm during a rain delay at Mile high Nationals in Colorado, 2009. , Andy Cross/The Denver Post via GettyShirley Muldowney en route to a Top Fuel Eliminator win at North Star Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota, 1982., Alvis Upitis/GettyWinternationals at Pomona, from the perspective of the NHRA's official starter Buster Couch, 1968., Bob Swaim/The Enthusiast Network/GettyJohn Force during Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway in Florida, 2006., Bob Harmeyer/Archive Photos/GettyForce, two decades prior, running at Gatornationals, 1984., Bob Harmeyer/Archive Photos/GettyPrepping Doug Kalitta's Top Fuel dragster beofre Mile High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway, 2015., Andy Cross/The Denver Post via GettyNight time qualifying for the Summit Nationals near Norwalk, Ohio, 2007., Bob Harmeyer/Archive Photos/Getty